Last Chance Culture

So this weekend I suggest you set sail for the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich to check out the amazing Samuel Pepys exhibition which is due to close at the end of the month.

A day off work last week found me venturing south of the river to indulge my interest in the famous diarist Samuel Pepys. The exhibition takes you on a journey through his life, from the teenager who witnessed the execution of the Charles I in 1649 through to the Great Fire of London which devastated our capital in 1666.

His life and the life of those from the 17th Century is cleverly brought to life with costumes (including gloves worn by Charles I) before his execution, documents and paintings. However; it was the digital and interactive elements which marks this exhibition as one of my favourites of 2016 so far. Sit back and watch a silhouette performance of Macbeth or see how the fire of London spread and destroyed buildings via an interactive map. 

One thing you'll certainly take away is how naughty the court of Charles II was and how the actresses of the age not only ruled the stage, but also the hearts of men and the monarchy although maybe not the women - duly note Catherine Pepys (the wife of Samuel) description of popular stage actress Mary Davis "the most impertinent slut...in the world."

Why not complete your visit with a leisurely stroll (well depending on the path you take) through Greenwich Park to enjoy the views of our grand city.

Five things I learnt:

1. In 1665 around 20% of Britain's population died in the Great Plague. The exact figure was around 100,000 people
 
2. The amount of land destroyed by the Great Fire of London in 1666 was the equivalent to 247 football pitches 
 
3. When the Great Fire started Samuel Pepys sent his money to Bethnal Green and buried his parmesan cheese and wine in his garden for safe keeping 
 
4. Samuel Pepys was at one point in his life imprisoned in the Tower of London
 
5. He also became the President of the Royal Society despite not being a scientist. He confessed that he didn't understand a lot of the research shared by some members of the society

Samuel Pepys: Plague, Fire, Revolution Exhibition

Where: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
Getting there: Cutty Sark (DLR) is the nearest tube

Cost:£12

Opening Dates: Closes 28th March 2016
Website: www.rmg.co.uk